The Hellenic army is set to receive four Patroller drones in the coming months, likely by summer, as part of a program valued at approximately €55 million. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will be operated by the Army Aviation and are expected to enhance Greece’s surveillance capabilities over key areas, including the Aegean Sea and Thrace.
Greece has chosen two airfields to host the UAVs: Rhodes, at the military airfield in Maritsa, and Chrysoupoli Airport in Kavala. From these locations, the drones will be able to monitor the Eastern Aegean, including the Kastellorizo complex, the northern Aegean, and Greece’s land border with Türkiye, providing comprehensive coverage of national territorial interests.
Initially, Crete was considered as a base for two of the Patroller UAVs designated for high-priority surveillance missions in the southeastern Aegean. However, the military leadership opted for Rhodes to extend operational coverage further. The Patroller drones, manufactured by Safran Electronics & Defense in France, are designed for surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence gathering, and target acquisition. They will provide real-time data to operations centers and are capable of detecting and tracking small targets at long distances.
Personnel from the Army Aviation are currently undergoing training in France to operate and maintain the Patroller UAVs. Once delivered, the drones will be immediately operational for surveillance missions. The Patroller has a top speed of 200 km/h and can fly at altitudes up to 16,000 feet. With external fuel tanks, it can remain airborne for up to 15 hours, allowing for extended coverage of vast areas. The drone can carry payloads up to 210 kg, enabling integration with advanced sensors. The fuselage houses intelligence-gathering equipment capable of processing data from land, sea, and air operations.